The 2004 and 2007 enlargements of the EU extended the freedom of
movement to workers from the twelve new member states mainly from
Central Eastern Europe. This study summarizes and comparatively
evaluates what we know about mobility in an enlarged Europe to date. The
pre-enlargement fears of free labor mobility proved to be unjustified.
No significant detrimental effects on the receiving countries’ labor
markets have been documented, nor has there been any discernible welfare
shopping. Rather, there appear to have been positive effects on EU’s
productivity. The sending countries face some risks of losing their
young and skilled labor force, but free labor mobility has relieved them
of some redundant labor and the associated fiscal burden. They have also
profited from remittances. Of key importance for the sending countries
is to reap the benefits from brain gain and brain circulation in an
enlarged EU. For the migrants the benefits in terms of better career
prospects have with little doubt exceeded any pecuniary and
non-pecuniary costs of migration. In conclusion, the freedom of movement
in the EU provides for a triple-win situation for the receiving and
sending countries as well as for migrants themselves, provided the risks
are contained and efficient brain circulation is achieved.